Originally Posted by
ncflyer704
Interesting post. Yet, only 55 pilots flowed from PSA to American in 2016 (pilot group is 1200 ish); a year that Americian hired 600ish. Pay increases and bonuses may get a few more in the door for now, but net Captain gains to trigger additional flow numbers did not materialize for 2016. PSA career expectations underperformed in 2016. LOA 5 salesmen (ALPA) spoke of and projected 7-8 flows per month by the end of 2016. The company had to meet again in May to discuss the flow. That resulted in no increase. The "answers" for 2017 are from the same group(s). So while the American projected retirement information is of interest, it does not make a flat flow agreement look any different.
I agree that the AA retirement numbers really isn't tied to our flow in any way. The reason that they are of interest is to see what is happening at the legacy carriers. There are literally thousands of retirements in the next few years alone.
If you have a fairly clean record, a college degree, and put forth some effort, you will be able to get a job at a legacy carrier.
United and AA really haven't started hiring a lot yet. So far, this year, here is the hiring by airline:
American: 433
Delta: 1048
United: 473
Southwest: 579
FedEx: 296
UPS: 63
So far, that is a total of about 2,900 for 2016. In 2 years from now, it will be 5,000 a year. Not all will come from the regionals. Some will be from military. Others will be current 91/135 pilots. But the fact remains that in 5 years, the regionals will be decimated.